William S. James Elementary

Summary:

William S. James Elementary is a public elementary school in Abingdon, Maryland, serving 497 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Harford County Public Schools district, which is ranked 9th out of 25 districts in Maryland and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

William S. James Elementary stands out for its strong academic performance, with significantly higher proficiency rates in MCAP Mathematics (48.6%) and MCAP English Language Arts (54.7%) compared to the district and state averages. The school's 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade proficiency rates in these subjects were also higher than the district and state. However, the school's 5th-grade proficiency rate in MCAP Science (24.3%) was lower than the district (30.9%) and state (23.9%) averages. Interestingly, the school has a relatively low percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients (30.38%) compared to some nearby schools like Deerfield Elementary (77.75%) and Old Post Road Elementary (79.93%), yet its low-socioeconomic status student group still performed exceptionally well, ranking 48th out of 546 Maryland elementary schools in 2020-2021.

Compared to nearby schools, William S. James Elementary has a higher percentage of White students (67.81%) and lower percentages of African American (11.27%) and Hispanic (7.65%) students. The school's per-student spending of $13,273 in 2020-2021 was also higher than the state average, and its student-teacher ratio of 15.9 in 2022-2023 is within a reasonable range. Overall, William S. James Elementary is a high-performing school that has consistently demonstrated strong academic achievement, particularly in Mathematics and English Language Arts, and effectively supports students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.


Detail:

Public K-5

 1 Laurentum Pkw
       Abingdon, MD  21009-1709


(410) 638-3900

District: Harford County Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
258th of 859 Maryland Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,862 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  15.9 Help
Number of students:  497

Racial breakdown:

White:
67.8%
African American:
11.3%
Two or more races:
8.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  30.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details William S. James Elementary ranks better than 70% of elementary schools in Maryland. It also ranks 19th among 33 ranked elementary schools in the Harford County Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 67.32. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (67.8%), African American (11.3%), two or more races (8.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 30.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at William S. James Elementary is 15.9. 28 elementary schools in the Harford County Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare William S. James Elementary employs 31.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at William S. James Elementary is $15,862. 24 elementary schools in the Harford County Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

William S. James Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Harford County Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Harford County Public Schools 9th of 25 Maryland school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for William S. James Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at William S. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 33.85 590th 803 26.5%
2005 46.00 476th 805 40.9%
2006 54.15 410th 804 49.0%
2007 55.75 409th 818 50.0%
2008 64.13 330th 838 60.6%
2009 73.69 229th 850 73.1%
2010 72.64 236th 855 72.4%
2011 78.41 137th 853 83.9%
2012 78.69 135th 857 84.2%
2013 68.77 263rd 847 68.9%
2014 79.06 160th 867 81.5%
2015 77.89 181st 859 78.9%
2016 83.55 148th 845 82.5%
2017 73.32 227th 847 73.2%
2018 72.20 237th 857 72.3%
2019 61.94 297th 853 65.2%
2021 46.69 306th 802 61.8%
2022 54.20 367th 862 57.4%
2023 64.12 278th 855 67.5%
2024 67.32 258th 859 70.0%
See the entire list of Maryland Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at William S. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 72.65 48th 546 91.2%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at William S. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 48.37 296th 796 62.8%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at William S. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 47.51 299th 788 62.1%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at William S. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MD State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 32.84 322nd 528 39.0%
See the entire list of Best Maryland Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Maryland State Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

William S. James Elementary Test Scores
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Data source: Maryland State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Open Quote As a parent, I highly value a school that invites parents/caregivers to continue their involvement of their child's education and overall progress. My husband and I have walked into this school many times and have consistently felt a sense of community, caring, and connectedness. The office staff is exceptionally polite and helpful. Mr. Richardson, Principal, and Mrs. Donnelly, Vice Principal, have often been visible and accessible, addressing each child and adult by name. Both Mr. Richardson and Mrs. Donnelly are an enthusiastic presence, exhibiting a trickle down effect to teachers, staff members, children, and parents.

I couldn't be happier with the education that my son is receiving at William S. James. My son entered Mrs. Ewing's kindergarten class in September knowing only 50 sight words and now (4 months later) he's independently writing and reading entire sentences consistently. He counts by 2s, 4s, 5s, 10s, and 100s and can add and subtract all singular and many double numerical equations. His overall enthusiasm for learning has been overwhelming!

A superficial side note: I understand that a new playground is "in the works," however I feel additonal funding to update their 35-40 year old facility would greatly benefit the children. Close Quote



Enrollment information for William S. James Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 672 14 11 5 1 n/a n/a 0 703
1990 725 19 15 7 2 n/a n/a 0 768
1991 579 12 8 8 1 n/a n/a 0 608
1992 625 5 7 8 2 n/a n/a 0 647
1993 617 8 11 5 1 n/a n/a 0 642
1994 590 10 13 3 1 n/a n/a 0 617
1995 513 15 12 4 1 n/a n/a 0 545
1996 513 15 12 4 1 n/a n/a 0 545
1997 605 12 15 2 1 n/a n/a 0 635
1998 611 20 16 3 0 n/a n/a 0 650
1999 567 24 12 4 0 n/a n/a 0 607
2000 550 34 14 7 0 n/a n/a 0 605
2001 539 40 14 6 1 n/a n/a 0 600
2002 481 51 15 11 1 n/a n/a 0 559
2003 481 51 15 11 1 n/a n/a 0 559
2004 453 48 18 5 2 n/a n/a 0 526
2005 433 48 26 9 4 n/a n/a 0 520
2006 404 58 21 12 3 n/a n/a 0 498
2007 393 58 26 17 2 n/a n/a 0 496
2008 401 61 22 17 0 n/a n/a 0 501
2009 376 66 22 22 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2010 364 69 27 20 1 n/a n/a 0 481
2011 351 79 25 36 3 1 26 0 521
2012 351 76 23 33 5 1 25 0 514
2013 331 47 16 25 4 2 26 0 451
2014 309 40 15 29 4 2 22 0 421
2015 295 34 14 30 4 2 24 0 403
2016 305 33 17 29 4 1 34 0 423
2017 307 28 12 29 4 1 32 0 413
2018 306 36 11 22 3 1 28 0 407
2019 331 43 8 25 3 1 31 0 442
2020 338 55 12 30 2 0 35 0 472
2021 344 60 15 33 0 0 28 0 480
2022 327 60 15 38 1 0 29 0 470
2023 337 56 22 38 2 0 42 0 497

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at William S. James Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 703 36.1 19.4 n/a
1990 768 38.1 20.1 0.7
1991 608 28.5 21.3 1.2
1992 647 31.5 20.5 1.5
1993 642 32.5 19.8 1.6
1994 617 32.0 19.3 2.9
1995 545 29.5 18.5 4.2
1996 545 29.5 18.5 4.2
1997 635 32.5 19.5 2.7
1998 650 32.5 20.0 2
1999 607 32.5 18.7 4.9
2000 605 33.3 18.2 4.6
2001 600 34.5 17.4 3.8
2002 559 34.5 16.2 9.8
2003 559 34.5 16.2 9.8
2004 526 33.0 15.9 8.9
2005 520 32.0 16.3 9.8
2006 498 35.0 14.2 11.2
2007 496 34.5 14.4 11.7
2008 501 34.9 14.4 16
2009 487 33.9 14.4 17.5
2010 481 33.9 14.1 18.9
2011 521 34.8 14.9 22.5
2012 514 35.6 14.4 23
2013 451 34.0 13.2 21.7
2014 421 30.7 13.6 22.8
2015 403 29.0 13.8 16.6
2016 423 27.0 15.6 16.8
2017 413 27.4 15.0 15
2018 407 27.1 15.0 15.7
2019 442 25.1 17.6 19
2020 472 28.0 16.8 17.2
2021 480 29.4 16.3 25
2022 470 30.9 15.1 25.7
2023 497 31.1 15.9 30.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio William S. James Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 703 36.1 19.4 n/a
1990 768 38.1 20.1 0.7
1991 608 28.5 21.3 1.2
1992 647 31.5 20.5 1.5
1993 642 32.5 19.8 1.6
1994 617 32.0 19.3 2.9
1995 545 29.5 18.5 4.2
1996 545 29.5 18.5 4.2
1997 635 32.5 19.5 2.7
1998 650 32.5 20.0 2
1999 607 32.5 18.7 4.9
2000 605 33.3 18.2 4.6
2001 600 34.5 17.4 3.8
2002 559 34.5 16.2 9.8
2003 559 34.5 16.2 9.8
2004 526 33.0 15.9 8.9
2005 520 32.0 16.3 9.8
2006 498 35.0 14.2 11.2
2007 496 34.5 14.4 11.7
2008 501 34.9 14.4 16
2009 487 33.9 14.4 17.5
2010 481 33.9 14.1 18.9
2011 521 34.8 14.9 22.5
2012 514 35.6 14.4 23
2013 451 34.0 13.2 21.7
2014 421 30.7 13.6 22.8
2015 403 29.0 13.8 16.6
2016 423 27.0 15.6 16.8
2017 413 27.4 15.0 15
2018 407 27.1 15.0 15.7
2019 442 25.1 17.6 19
2020 472 28.0 16.8 17.2
2021 480 29.4 16.3 25
2022 470 30.9 15.1 25.7
2023 497 31.1 15.9 30.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for William S. James Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $400 (3.5%) $11,029 (96.5%) $11,429
2020 $427 (3.4%) $12,210 (96.6%) $12,637
2021 $782 (5.9%) $12,491 (94.1%) $13,273
2022 $1,646 (11.0%) $13,367 (89.0%) $15,013
2023 $1,164 (7.3%) $14,699 (92.7%) $15,862

Data source: Maryland Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on William S. James Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 297th of 853 Elementary schoolsRanks 278th of 855 Elementary schools
 2.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students442497
 12.4%
African American4356
 30.2%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian822
 175%
Hispanic2538
 52%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White331337
 1.8%
Two or More Races3142
 35.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients19%30.4%
 11.4%


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Frequently Asked Questions about William S. James Elementary

Students at William S. James Elementary are 68% White, 11% African American, 8% Two or more races, 8% Hispanic, 4% Asian.

William S. James Elementary ranks 258th of 859 Maryland elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 497 students attended William S. James Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Maryland State Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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